Sinclair360

Damira Hayrullina, a 2009 graduate of Sinclair Community College and Uzbekistan native, began her journey to the United States in 2005.

After taking a series of tests and an interview through a program called Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Hayrullina was given the opportunity to study in the United States.

“It was scary from the beginning, coming to a country where I knew nobody,” she said.  “We came as a group of 30 and stayed in D.C. where a group explained to us what it would be like.”

The FLEX program placed Hayrullina with a family in Dayton where she graduated from Centerville High School in 2006. “The school system is very different; we start at seven years old in first grade and stay together as a group until we graduate,” She explained.  “We have a certain amount of classes to take each year with no choice.”

After graduation Hayrullina started taking classes at Sinclair where she also worked in the registration and student records office. “The people are so nice and welcoming, I made a lot of friends,” She said. “I’m kind of a part of Sinclair as a student and worker, too.”

Hayrullina’s major was interior design. Getting to know her fellow classmates was like creating a new family for her.  “It’s such a small group that you get to know everybody in your field and get to have classes with them for two years.”

Hayrullina is continuing to work in Sinclair’s registration and student records office through the summer until she starts her optional practical training later this fall.

By Natasha Baker